Fluid dispensing apparatus



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 C. W. BLACKBURN ET AL FLUID DISPENSING APPARATUSINVENToRs C.W. BLACKBURN y H. D. MARESH @5p M ATTORNEYS June 24, 1958Filed June 18, 1956 June 24, 1958 c. w. BLACKBURN ETAL 2,840,272

' FLUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed June 18, 1956 l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 42lI l l42 42I I I 142,

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6 Vr-m TV1-1 l 4e 46 I INVENToRs c. w. BLACKBURN 'BY H. D. MAREsH A TmRNEYS FLUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Charles W. Blackhum and Herbert D.Maresh, Bartlesville, Okla., assignors to Phillips Petroleum Company, acorporation of Delaware f Application June 1S, 1956, Serial No. 592,131

Claims. (c1. 222-76) This invention relates to fluid dispensingapparatus. In one aspect, this invention relates to lluid dispensingapparatus equipped with emergency shutdown means. In

another aspect, this invention relates to a service-,stationsinstallation of fluid dispensing apparatus equipped with an emergencyshutdown system. v j .A hazardin the operation of servicestationsfdispensing i inflammable fluid is the danger of lire occurringfollowing an accident to a dispensing pedestal. It is not uncommon foran automobile to collide with and jar or-knock over a dispensingpedestal. In such instances, dispensing conduits connecting the pedestalwith the source of supply of the fluid being dispensed'may be broken, inwhichr event, there is danger of gasoline or other inilammable huidbeing spilled.

ln service stations wherein a plurality of dispensing pedestals aresupplied from a common source by means of a single remote pump, thedispensing control switches in each dispensing pedestal are usuallyconnected in parallel with one another in the circuit supplyingcurrentto the motor driving said pump so that closure of any single switch willenergize said pump motor. Thus huid can be dispensed from each Vpedestalindependently of the others.y With such a system, it is possibleforfluid to continue to be dispensed at the other pedestals after an`accident has occurred tov one pedestal, even though the pedestalinvolvedin the accident may have been equipped with means to stop theilow of fluid thereto. The danger involved is obvious. This danger isincreased in those instances where the dispensing line at the pedestalis equipped kwith an automatic valvednozzle whichautomatically shuts oftthe flow of fluid when the customersA tank is filled. Where suchequipment is used, it is common practice for the service stationattendant to insert the nozzleinto theautomobile fuel tank and thenproceed to service' otherpartsof the automobile. In the event ofari'faccidernt at Van .adjacent pedestal, the attendant might notbe'fableto shutfo'lt'the ow of uid before a lire occurred,Y ffThe'increasing number of service stationy in-V stz'lll'ati'onsV utilizingsuch automatic equipment and remote pumping facilities has caused manymunicipalities to requirez theins'tallation ofv emergency shutdownequipment'to eliminate or mitigate thehazards thus described, .Ourinvention `provides fluid dispensing apparatus and/or alluiddispensingsystem having emergency `shutdown-means. Broadly speaking, ourinvention, comprises providingy an emergency switch -in each dispensingpedestal,whichA switch is adapted to open kwhen said pedestal is jarredor overturned,'thus opening the circuit supplying current to themotor'ofthe iluid supply pump and shutting down thedispensing operatiomr'ln aservice station-where there are a pluralityof dispensing pedestals, 'theemergency switches kin the individual pedestals ,can'all beconnected'inseries with ,one another. Thus,l it'is possible to stop or shut down alldispensing operations when an-accidentoc curs Vat any single-pedestal; fy; It is, arrl object of our inventionto provide ,a dispensing pensingcontrol switches connected in parallel with one ICC pedestal equippedwith an emergency shutdown'switch adapted to open the circuit supplyingcurrent lto the sup-i ply pump motor when said pedestal is jarred,overturned, or moved from its normal operating position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simplebut electivecontrol for a remote pump in a service sta-4 tion installation. Y Y

Still another object of this invention isto'provide a fluid dispensingsystem capable of dispensing a fluid, or diierent types of iluid,through a pluralityv of dispensing pedestals arranged in a group orgroups, each saidpedestal having a dispensing control switch therein,said switches being connected in parallel with one another according tosaid group or groups, and wherein means comprising a plurality ofemergency switches are` provided for dis,-4

continuing the tlow of iluid to oneofA saidpedestals, a group or groupsof said pedestals, or yall-of4 said pedestals, under emergencyconditions.

Other aspects, advantages and objects of thisinvention will be apparentto those skilled tin the art-upon reading the accompanying disclosure,claims` and drawings.

Thus according to the invention, there is provided uid dispensingapparatus comprising, in combination: at least Y one pump, said pumphaving an outlet; a motor connected to drive said pump; Va currentsource; a plurality of disanother; a plurality of emergency switchesconnected in series with one another; Vand circuit means connecting saidmotor to said current source through said plurality of dispensingcontrol switches and said plurality ofreiner` I gency switches. Y

It is to be noted that the dispensing control switches are connected inparallel with one another and the Vemergency switches are connected inseries with one another. Thus when the invention is applied to an installav tion having a plurality of dispensing means orpedestals,

each equipped with a ydispensing control switch andeach equipped with anemergency'switch, the dispensing operation can be carried outat anyindividual Vdispensing means or pedestal by virtue of said dispensingcontrol switches being connected in parallel with one another.However',-

since all of said emergency switchesare connected in series with oneanother, an accidentat any indvidualdispensing means or pedestal willshut down the entire dispensing operation. Any number of dispensingmeans or pedestals can be connected into groupsdepending upon` thedilerent types of iluid being dispensed and the dis-k pensing controlswitches and emergency switchesof each,

group connected Vin parallel and in series, respectively,

with one another so that each group operates independ However, it isgenerally` ently of` the other groups. preferred that all the emergencyswitches of the different groups at an installation be connected inseries with one fiuidvare dispensed through a` plurality of groupsofdis# pensing pedestals. The dispensingcontrol switches lofeachgr'oupare connected in parallel with one anotherfand the emergencyswitches of each groupV are connected in 4 series with one another. i Y.Figure 3 is a schematic wiring diagram similary toV that illustrated inFigure 2 except that all of the emergency Patented June 24, 1958switches of all groups of pedestals are connected in series A withroneanother.

Figure 4 illustrates a schematic wiring to that shown in Figure 2. Q Y yY FigurenS illustrates a schematic wiring-diagram similar to that shownin Figurer-3. i

A, -Like `reference numerals are employed todesignatelike.

elements in the several drawings.` The reference numer-v als given in@Figure `l for dispensingA pedestal lZ'Zapplytol like elements indispensing pedestal 28 where 'the' refer-c diagram similar' A Ukvalvednozzle is lifted, said movable member 39 is forced upward by means ofspring 41. Mercury tilt switch 42 (dispensing control switch) isattached to and rests upon said movable member 39 so that when thelatter is forced upward the mercury 43 insaid switch is displaced to theother lend of its container and completes the circuit between electricalwires` 44 and 45. The combination of movable member 39,.spring 41,switch 42, mercury 43,

" and the ends of wires 44 and 45 which are inside the ence numeralshave been 4omitted for thesake of clarity# Referring to Figure l,astorage tank 10 is shown con taining-liquid fuelll. Storage'tank 410 isburied in the earth 12V and `at least a portion of the earth is coveredbyA Ya concretefslab 13. TankU10 is provided with Va filling `line 14having asuitablelling cap 1S located in a recess 16 of slab 13)Saidgrecess` can be closed Vfor convenience by` means *of trap door `17.Tank 10-can also be providedlwithavent line18 so as to vent vaporstherefrom to the atmospheref'Said vent line is customarily located t atadistanc'cfrom ,theVA remainder ofthe installation and can be providedAwithja suitablerain cap `19.` In some in st'allationsysaid vent Vpipe'`18 isgnot provided and tank 10 Operatsflunderthevapor pressure of theliquid stored therein. A suitable pump.A and motor assembly 20 isdisposed within `saidy tank 10 and submerged in fluid 11. A conduit 21`connects said pump and motorr20 with outlet 22 disposed Without saidtanlc10. 4A suitable connecting terminal 23'is provided in recess 16 forthe connection of Y lead wires froma current vsource (describedhereinafter)V to said motor and pump assembly 20. Suitable conduitj orRegulator Company, Freeport, lll.V Said switch 46 comprisesanlexplosion-proof housing havingthe actual switch means mountedtherein, and an'actuator arm 47, having a-"roller-48 in the end thereof,extending from one side offsaid switch housing. Said roller 48 restsupon bolt 49 which is supported by bracket 5t) attached by means cable'means (not shown.) within conduit 21provide a connectiQn. betweenconnecting terminal 23 and themotor of pump and motorassembly 20.Although the lead wires to connecting terminal 23 are shown extendingthrough trapk door 17 for "purposes of'simplicity, it will be understoodby those skilledin the art 'that said lead wires are usually placed in`a conduit which wouldV extendthrough slab 13 Vtwodispensingpedestalsare here shown, it will beunder# stood thatany numberofsaidpedestals can be employed, and further, that "said"pede'stals canbe arranged' inany convenientm'annerin any convenient number of groups.ASaid dispensing pedestalsfare -commonly referred `to by the public asgas pumps but they hare referred to herein as dispensing pedestalsbecause ,the actual pumpis located remotely from" the dispensingpedestal.` Each of said pcdestals comprises a housingf2`9, and a meter30 disposed within said housing in each dispensing `line and 26. Thedownstream portions 31 ,of said dispensing lines are customarily, madeof.a suitable flexible materialand terminate in a valved dispensingnozzle 32 having a suitable trigger mechanism 33 therein for openingsaid valve. Said meters 30.*measure the amountof tluid passing throughdispensing lines 25 and 26, and each meter is operatively connected bymeans of a connection 34 to au indicator 35. Said meter can be anysuitable type of meter from, the prior art which will meet therequirements ofthe law in the particular jurisdiction involved and canbe adapted to measurethe amount of` uid dispensed either by volume or byweight. Indicator 35 indicates the amount of uid passing through line 25or line 26.and can-read inwterms of amount on one set of odometer-typediscs 36, vand as to price onanoth'er set of odometer-type discs 37.`.While not necessary to the invention, it is commercially preferable tohave means 38 to resetsaid odometer-type discs 36 and`37 with eachpurchase.

Valved nozzle `32 rests inthe'bifurcated `end of movablernember 39 whichis pivoted'at 40 so that when'said of an anchor bolt to the wall of arecess in slab 13 over which housing'29 is mounted. Bolt 49 isadjustable with respect vto height above bracket 5G byV means of nut 51.Switch 46'is anormally open switch which is biased into closed positionby arm'47- resting on bolt 49.

Circuit means are provided for connecting the motor of motor and pumpassembly v20 through dispensing control switches 42 and emergencyswitches 46 with a cur- Vrent source 52. Tracing said circuit means fromsaid current source 52 starting with wire 53, it will be noted that wire53 connects with wires 44 leading to dispensing control switches 42 ineach of dispensing pedestals 27 and 28. Wiresy 45 lead from saidswitches 42 in each of said pedestals 27 and 28 connect with wire 54which in turn connects` with one terminal `ot' connecting terminal 23.The other terminal of said connecting terminal 23 is connected to wire55 which is nconnected to one terminal of the emergency switch 46 inpedestal 27. Wire 56 is connected to the other'terminal of said switch46 and leads to the emergency switch 46 in pedestal28. `Wire 57 fromsaid last mentioned switch 46 connects with wire 58 which in turn isvconnected to the other poleof ycurrent source 52.` Tracing saidcircuitas outlined, it is seen that the dispensing control switches 42in said pedestals 27 and 2B are connected in parallel with one anotherwhereas the emergency switches 46 in saidpedestals 27 and 28 areconnected in series with one another. Y

Figure 2 illustrates a schematic wiring diagram suit-v able for usewhere two Vgrades of tluid'are to be dispensed from two different groupsVof dispensing pedestals.

Each of dispensing control switches 42 is a mercury tilt switch of thetype described in connection with Figure l.

VEach of emergency switches 46 is' of the same type as described inconnection with Figure 1. It will be understood that there is onedispensing control switch 42 and one emergency'switch 46 in Veachdispensing pedestal. Thus the wiring diagram illustrated in Figure 2 isfor two groups of four dispensing pedestals each, each group beingsupplied from a separate storage tank by means of separate pump landmotor assemblies 20 and 20' connected to a common current source 52through switches 42and switches 46 of each group. Tracing the circuitsimilarly as in connection with Figure 1, it will be seen that thedispensingcontrol switches 42 in each group are connected in parallelwith one another and that the emergency switchesV 46 in eachgroup` areconnected in series with one another'. Thus `when the dispensingpedestals are connected as in Fi`gure'2, the two groups of pedestalsoperate independently. c Y

Referring to Figure 3, there areV illustrated two groups of `dispensing`pedestals connected 'in the same manner as pendently of the other groupinsofar as the dispensing control switches 42 are concerned, but all thegroups are connected together through said emergency switches 46k whichare connected in series with one another. There` fore an accident at anydispensing pedestal will shut down pumping operations for the entireinstallation.

Figures 4 and 5 are like Figures 2 and 3, respectively, except thatrelay means 60 `and master switch 61 are provided. It will be notedthatcurrent in a 4branch of said circuit means flows through relay means 60when all of the emergency switches 46 are closed and the solenoid ofrelay means 60 holds master switch 61 in closed position. Said masterswitch 61 is normally biased to an open position by means of spring 62.n

In the operationof the system illustrated in Figure 1, assume that anautomobile is being serviced at dispensing pedestal 27 and thatnozzle 32is delivering gasoline intov the fuel tank of said automobile.l Assumefurther that another automobile entering the service station strikes andknocks over dispensing pedestal 28. Since emergency switch 46 indispensing pedestal 27 and emergency switch 46 in dispensing pedestal 23.are connected in series with one another in the circuit means supplyingAcurrent to the motor of motor and pump assembly4 20, emergencythereby'opening' the switch means within the explosiomk proofv housing of said'switch- 46. -Itwill be noted-that A direction.

mable fluid to be pumped through. the system and yout through any breakswhich may have occurred in the dis'- pensing line, such as dispensingline, 25. The type of switchr46 here illustrated can'be manuallyreset-"by turning actuating arm 47 slightly in a counter rclockwiseWhile a submerged pump and Vmotor assemblyt has been illustrated in tank10, it will be understood by those gardless of whether itis av surfacetype or submerged type.

said ybolt 49i's attached t-obracket 50 whichl in turny is. l

attached to awall ofthe recess in concrete slab 13v andy beingvthusattached independently of the housing 29 of dispensing pedestalZSdoes not move when said housingv is moved.l s I v "lf the* dispensingpedestals of the service station in! stallation are connected in themanner illustrated injFigures 2 and i4, i. e., a plurality 4ofindependent groups, an accident at one of ysaid dispensing pedestalswill shut down dispensing. yoperations at only the other dispensingpedestals of the same group. For this reason, the method of connectingthe dispensing pedestals'illustrated in Figures l, 3,' and 5 ispreferred .because an accident at .any dispensingy pedestal will openthe emergency switch in said dispensing'pedestal and shut downoperations at all of said dispensing pedestals.

While the invention has been illustrated as applied to service stationinstallations dispensing two grades of fuel, it will be understood bythose skilled :in the art that the invention is not so limited. Anynumber of dispensing pedestals suitably arranged in groups similarly .asdescribed .above can be employed to dispense any number of differenttypes of inflammable fuel.

The invention is also applicable to dispensing operations -other thanservice station installations.

Mercury tilt switch 42 is of the type well known to those skilled in theart. Said switch 42 usually comprises an electrically non-conductingcurved chamber containing some mercury 43. Any suitable type of a mer-Various Vother modications Aand embodiments of theV invention will be.apparent to'those skilled in the art in View ofthe above disclosurevand the attached drawings..Y

Such modifications are invention. Y

We claim:

within the spirit and scope of the a motorconnected -to'drive said pump;a current source, a plurality of dispensing control switches, connectedin parallel 'with' -one another; a plurality of emergency switches?connectedv in 'series with one another; .andv circuit means connecting4said motor to said current source 30T throughsaid plurality ofdispensing control switches and said plurality of'emergency switches sothat -said motor is, disconnectedfrom said current source whenever anyrone of said emergency switches is opened# 2. Fluidvdispensing apparatuscomprising,incombina-2 l tion: at least one pump, said pump having anoutlet, a

motor connected to drive said pump; acurrent-s'ource; `a

plurality vof-dispensing conduits; `a plurality Y,of dispensing controlswitches connected in 'parallel'with Vonev another and'ada'pted to coactwith said-dispensing conduits,l one switch foreach conduit, and energizesaid motor whena dispensing conduit is activated; apluralitydii-emergency switches connected inseries with one anothe'randadapted said motor is disconnected 4from said current sourcewhenever-any one of said emergencyy switches is openedir' 3; A `iluiddispensing system comprising, in vcombinau tion: Ya pluralityv ofdispensing' pedestals supplied withv uid fromva't least ,onewpump,' eachof Vsaid pedestals com -H prising a housing and a dispensing conduitterminating in a valved dispensing nozzle; a motor connected to drivesaid pump; a current source; a dispensing control switch mounted withinthe. Vhousing of each said pedestal and adaptedto coact with the saiddispensing nozzle and energize said motor when said Vnozzle isactivated; an emergency switch attached to each said housing adapted todeenergize said motor when said housing is moved from its norma-lposition; and circuit means connecting said motor to said current sourcethrough said dispensing Vcontrol switch and said emergency switch.

4. Fluid dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination: a plurality ofpumps, each pump having an outlet;

Y a motor connected to drive each pump; a current source;

a plurality of dispensing conduits arranged in a plurality of groups,each group connected to the outlet of one of said pumps; a plurality ofdispensing control switches, arranged in groups corresponding to said.groups of dispensing conduits, the switches in each group connected inparallel with one another, and adapted to coact with said dispensingconduits, one switch for each dispensing conduit, and to energize saidmotor when a dispensing conduit is activated; a plurality of emergencyswitches, arrange-d in groups i corresponding to said groups ofdispensing conduits, the

switches in each group connected in series with one an- `7 other, oneswitch `for each ,dispensing.condjuit,v and adapted toA `deenergize esaid motor underY emergency conditions;

and circuit meansconnecting each` motor of each group to said Ycurrentsource through said plurality of Vdispensing ,control switches -for each`group and saidk plurality of said emergency switches .for each groupsothat said motor otre'ach group isdisconnected lfrom said current,source whenever any one of said4 emergency switches `for each group isopened. i Y

5,5 Fluid dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination: 1a pluralityof pumps,reach pump having an outlet; a motor connected `to drive eachpump;,a current source, a plurality of dispensing conduits arranged in-a plurality of groups, each group connected `to the `outlet of one ofsaid` pumps; aplurality of dispensing control switches, arranged` ingroups corresponding to said 'groups of dispensing conduits, theswitches in jeach groupjconnected `in parallel with oneanother, andadapted to coact ,with said dispensing -conduitshone `switch foreachtdispensing conduit, and to energize said `motor when a dispensing`conduit is activated;a plurality of emergency switches, connected inlseries with Vone another, one switch for each dispensing conduit, andadapted ,to deenergize said motor` under emergency conditions; `andcircuit means connecting each `motor 4of each group to` said currentsource through ysaid plurality of diSPmSing `Control switches for eachgroup andsaid plurality of said emergency switches so that said motor isdisconnected from saidrcurrent source wheneverl i switches opens. ,y j

7,7-Fluid` dispensing apparatus according to ,claimy 5v wherein .saidemergency switches areu in` a branch of said circuit means having. relaymeans therein, said relay means being adapted to causefa normallyopenmaster switch insaid circ-uit means toopenwhen one of saidemergencylswitchesopens. f

1 8. A; service f station atiiadspensng instalation comprising, incombination: a plurality of pumps, each -pump Ahavinganoutlet;a motorconnected to drive each pump;

a current sourceya plurality offY dispensing pedestals` arranged in aplurality of groups,` eachgroup connected -to the outlet ofV one ofsaidpumps, and each of said dispensing pedestals comprising a housingand a dispensing conduitv terminating in a valved dispensing nozzle; adispensing control switch mounted ivithin the housing of eachV saidpedestal andadapted to coact withthe said dispensing 8 nozzle andenergize said motor when said nozzleis activated; an emergency switchattached to each said housing adapted to deenergi'ze lsaid motor whensaid housing is movedfrom itsnormal position; said dispensing controlswitches in'each groupl of said dispensing pedestals being connectedin'par-allel with oneranother; said emergency switches in eachgroup ofdisepnsing pedestals being connected in series with one another;andrcircuit means connecting the pump motor 'foreach group of pedestalsto said current source through the plurality of dispensing controlswitches for each said group of pedestals and the plurality of emergencyswitches for each said group of pedestals.-

9. A service-station uid dispensing installation comprising, incombination: a plurality of pumps, each pump having an outlet; amotorconnected to drive each pump; a current source; a plurality ofIdispensing pedestals arranged in a plurality of groups, each groupconnected to the outlet of oneof said pumps, and each of said dispensingpedestals comprising a housing and a dispensing conduit terminating in avalved dispensing nozzle; a dispensing control switch mounted within thehousing of eachsaidA pedestal and adapted to coact with the saiddispensing nozzleand energize said motor when said nozzle is activated;an emergency switch attached to each said housing adapted to 4deenergizesaid motor when said housing is y ofemergency switches.

moved from its normal position; said dispensing control switches in eachgroup `of said dispensing pedestals being connected in` parallel withone another; said emergency switches in all of said dispensing pedestalsbeing connected in series with one another; and circuit means connectingthe pump motor for each `group of pedestals to said current sourcethrough the plurality of dispensing control switches for each said groupof pedestals and said plurality M10. A service station dispensingpedestal'comprising, in combination: ahousing; adispensing conduitterminating in a valved` dispensing nozzle; a meter mounted withinReferences rCited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,612,424 :Farr Dec. 2s, 1926 '1,618,006 1 Hauxhurst Feb. 15, 19272,712,885

Winship July l2, 1955

